TORONTO, Ont. — The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is upgrading the province’s Air Brake Endorsement Program requiring all instructors to be re-tested before Fall 2001.

Re-certification is mandatory for anyone currently authorized to deliver the air brake course for the purpose of licence upgrades or renewals. The one-day re-certification sessions will take place throughout the province during the months of July and August at a cost of $120.

Instructors failing to complete program prior to implementation will no longer be qualified to hold “Z” signing authority status.

The new course curriculum that instructors will deliver consists of 12 hours of classroom and practical instruction based on a revised Instructor’s Manual. It will replace the current 10-hour course for Class A and 8 1/2 hour course for all other commercial classes. Other changes to the program include revised knowledge and practical tests, a revised Official Air Brake Handbook and a revised air brake instructor’s course.

The Ontario Trucking Association is also producing its own comprehensive line of airbrake training materials. These include an airbrake handbook and study guide (for use in classroom training) that will be supported by a complete package of instructor materials and a CD containing self-test airbrake exams.